Assessing Core Beliefs in Adolescence: Psychometric Validation of the Negative Core Beliefs Inventory (NCBI).

Although the core belief construct is central in A. T. Beck's cognitive theory, little empirical research has been conducted to date to establish its psychometric properties as well as the way it explains manifestations of psychopathology. The aims of this study were to develop and provide the first evidence of validity and reliability of a new measure of core beliefs that quantifies negative core beliefs about the self (nCB-S) and negative core beliefs about others (nCB-O). Results indicated that this measure has adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Factor analyses confirmed that nCB-S and nCB-O fall on separate dimensions, and they provided preliminary evidence that nCB-S can be separated further into (a) helplessness/inferiority, (b) helplessness/vulnerability, (c) unlovability, and (d) worthlessness. Consistent with expectations, the scores on the nCB-S and nCB-O scales correlated positively with reports of negative experiences in childhood, attachment styles, anxiety, and depression. These preliminary results suggest that core beliefs can be measured in a reliable and valid manner and that the instrument proposed in this article can be used in studies designed to validate aspects of A. T. Beck's cognitive theory.

ObjectiveCognitive theory assumes a pivotal role of negative core beliefs about the self in dysfunctional attitudes predisposing to depression. Meanwhile, the role of positive core beliefs about the self in cognitive vulnerability to depression is unknown. Therefore, we examined the relationship of negative and positive core beliefs about the self with dysfunctional attitudes in three aspects of life.MethodsThe subjects were 311 Japanese volunteers. Core beliefs of negative-self and positive-self were evaluated by the corresponding subscales of the Brief Core Schema Scales. Dysfunctional attitudes in the areas of achievement, dependency and self-control were measured by the corresponding subscales of the 24-item Dysfunctional Attitude Scale.ResultsThe negative-self subscale was correlated with the achievement, dependency and self-control subscales. The positive-self subscale was correlated with the achievement and self-control subscales.ConclusionThe present study suggests that negative core beliefs about the self underlie all types of dysfunctional attitudes, while positive core beliefs about the self have some connections with dysfunctional attitudes related to achievement and self-control.

Cognitive models propose that levels of distress associated with auditory verbal hallucinations ('voices') are influenced by the hearers' beliefs about their voices (perceived malevolence and omnipotence), their negative beliefs about themselves and others and their attachment style. This study aims to test a comprehensive model of the relationship between these variables in order to identify distal and proximal interpersonal and cognitive factors contributing to voice-related distress. This interpersonal-cognitive model of voices proposes that attachment anxiety/avoidance drive negative beliefs about self and others, which in turn lead to persecutory (malevolent/omnipotent) beliefs about voices, which in turn increase levels of voice-related distress. Path analysis was used to test the interpersonal-cognitive model in a sample of 180 people currently hearing voices (57% self-reported schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses; 90% some form of self-reported mental health diagnosis). Path analysis provided support for a model in which there were direct pathways from attachment anxiety and avoidance to negative beliefs about self and others; direct pathways from negative beliefs about self and others to persecutory beliefs about voices; and a direct path from persecutory beliefs about voices, and negative beliefs about self, to voice distress. Findings add support to the suggestion that voice-related distress occurs in the context of an insecure attachment style and negative core beliefs about self/others. A therapeutic focus on beliefs about voices, attachment style and core beliefs about self/others may be important to minimize voice-related distress. Further tests of this model that can establish causal relationships between variables are now needed. Distress associated with auditory verbal hallucinations ('voices') is highly variable. This study tests a comprehensive interpersonal-cognitive model of voice distress using path analysis with 180 participants. The model tested in the current paper shows that attachment style predicts negative beliefs about self and others, which in turn predicts negative beliefs about voices, which in turn predicts voice-related distress. Findings support the suggestion that voice-related distress occurs in the context of an insecure attachment style and negative core beliefs about self and others. In addition to focusing on beliefs about voices, a therapeutic focus on attachment style and core beliefs about self and others may be important in order to minimize voice-related distress.

Link of negative core beliefs about the self with perceived dysfunctional parenting

Adult attachment, parenting experiences, and core beliefs about self and others

During this session, clients learn about core beliefs, which are powerful beliefs that exist deep within our brains and influence how we think. They are at the root, or the core, of our automatic thoughts about ourselves, and they can be positive or negative. In this chapter, clients learn what core beliefs are and where they come from—specifically, they can come from repetitive early experiences, or from a single formative, highly emotional experience. They will also learn about the relationship between negative core beliefs and negative automatic thoughts—specifically, that negative core beliefs, though usually outside of awareness, influence or shape automatic thoughts. Clients are taught the downward arrow technique to identify their own negative core beliefs.

Schema therapy (ST) is an effective psychotherapy for personality disorders in (older) adults. There is an increasing awareness of the imbalance in the ST community because of the emphasis on negative schemas versus attention to positive schemas. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted ST approach that integrates positive schemas. Using a multiple baseline design, the study assessed 10 older adults (aged > 60) with Cluster C personality disorders through 1 year of weekly individual ST sessions, followed by a 6-month follow-up. Baseline consisted of 4-8 weeks without intervention. Primary outcomes were credibility of positive and negative core beliefs; secondary measures examined symptomatic distress, schema modes, early maladaptive and positive schemas. Results showed mixed individual outcomes. Positive core beliefs significantly improved in 38% of participants during treatment and 50% at follow-up, whereas negative core beliefs decreased significantly for 25% of participants during treatment and 67% at follow-up. At the group level, significant increases with very large effect sizes were observed in positive core beliefs in baseline versus follow-up and reductions in negative beliefs in baseline versus treatment and versus follow-up. Secondary outcomes revealed significant reductions in symptomatic distress and PD criteria, alongside increased positive schemas. No significant changes were found for schema modes or maladaptive schemas. This first study underscores the potential of integrating positive schemas into ST for older adults, suggesting preliminary efficacy. Further research is essential to generalize findings across different age groups and diagnoses and to identify which aspects of positive schemas enhance therapy outcomes.

Close relation of interpersonal sensitivity with negative core beliefs about the self, the central construct of cognitive vulnerability to depression

There are obvious similarities between the cognitive constructs of A. T. Beck's (1976) cognitive theory and the response style theory (S. Nolen-Hoeksema & J. Morrow, 1991). Different propositions of J. A. Ciesla and J. E. Roberts (2007) and S. Lyubomirsky and S. Nolen-Hoeksema (1993, 1995) concerning associations of 2 response styles, brooding and reflection, with constructs of Beck's cognitive theory (schemata, cognitive errors, cognitive triad, automatic thoughts) were tested. Model comparisons were based on a 4-week study in which 397 participants completed self-report instruments at 2 time points. A model allowing schemata to influence brooding and reflection that influence the other cognitive variables of Beck's cognitive theory fits the data better than the other integrated models. However, although schemata were significant predictors of both response styles, neither response style did significantly predict other cognitive variables. A comparison of the integrated model with Beck's original cognitive theory revealed that Beck's original theory fits the data better than the integrated model, whereas both models explain about the same amount of variance. Thus, an integration of Beck's theory and the response style theory are not supported.

Interrelations among negative core beliefs, attachment anxiety and low self-directedness, putative central constructs of depression vulnerabilities in cognitive, attachment and psychobiological personality theories

The current study examined the association between negative core beliefs and a past history of major depressive episodes (MDE) in currently non-depressed university students. Sixty-three university students completed self-report measures assessing current depressive symptoms. They also completed a semi-structured interview assessing current and past histories of MDE. The presence of negative core beliefs was identified through an examination of participants’ life stories. Negative core beliefs were associated with a past history of MDE in non-disordered participants. Further, analyses revealed that the content domains of (1) disconnection/rejection and (2) overvigilance/inhibition were significantly associated with a past history of MDE whereas the content domains of (1) impaired autonomy/performance, (2) impaired limits, and (3) other-directedness were not. Findings provide preliminary support for recent theoretical models highlighting the potential importance of core beliefs in the etiology of depression.

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have found that perceived parenting is associated with dysfunctional attitudes that predict depression. However, few studies have empirically investigated processes by which perceived parenting is associated with dysfunctional attitudes. To fill this gap, this study tested the hypothesis that perceived low parental care would be associated with negative core beliefs, which, in turn, would be associated with dysfunctional attitudes. To strictly test the hypothesis, this study controlled for current depressive symptoms that could affect the relationships between study variables. The participants were 305 college students (141 females). The results differed by sex: for female students, the hypothesis was supported; for male students, negative core beliefs were associated with dysfunctional attitudes; however, perceived low care was not associated with negative core beliefs. The findings suggest that targeting low parental care and negative core beliefs for females and negative core beliefs for males may help prevent their dysfunctional attitudes and the resultant depression.

The session in this chapter looks at the concept of core beliefs and how negative automatic thoughts are related to negative core beliefs. Negative core beliefs are the roots from which different types of related automatic thoughts grow. Core beliefs arise from repeated similar experiences and powerful single experiences. Clients learn to identify their personal core beliefs (such as I am worthless, I am unlovable, I will go crazy) by using the downward arrow technique. Although arriving at a core belief and saying it out loud is an emotionally evocative experience, it’s a necessary part of the client’s work. It is also an opportunity for the therapist to hear the client and empathize with the client’s experience. Over time, the client builds a repertoire of experiences that allow for new core beliefs to form, making their original core beliefs less valid.

This study examined the schema-level cognitions (core beliefs) of patients with binge eating disorder to determine whether these patients differ from those with bulimia nervosa. A case control method (matching groups for age and body mass index [BMI]) was used, to avoid the confounding factors that are found in most studies of this sort. All clinical women were recruited from a specialist eating disorder clinic. The index group consisted of 25 women with DSM-IV diagnoses of binge eating disorder, who were compared with a clinical group of 25 women with bulimia nervosa and a group of 25 women with no eating disorder. Groups were closely matched for age and BMI. Each participant completed a well-validated measure of core beliefs. Although the binge eating disorder group had a range of more negative core beliefs than nonclinical women, the differences between the clinical groups were much smaller. The binge eating disorder group had more negative core beliefs than the bulimia nervosa group in many areas. However, the bulimia nervosa group was distinguished by having the highest level of abandonment beliefs, and this difference may account for the difference in the presence of purging behaviors. Levels of abandonment beliefs seem to be crucial in understanding the behavioral differences between these clinical groups--particularly the absence of purging behaviors. However, the relevance of these beliefs to treatment outcome and to other aspects of psychopathology remains to be established.

Recent models of personality development have emphasized the role of the environment in terms of selection and socialization effects and their interaction. Our study provides partial evidence for these models and, crucially, extends these models by adding a person variable: Core beliefs, which are defined as mental representations of experiences that individuals have while pursuing need-fulfilling goals. Specifically, we report results from a longitudinal investigation of the development of trait greed across time. Based on data from the German Personality Panel, we analyzed data on 1,965 young adults on up to 4 occasions, spanning a period of more than 3 years. According to our results, negative core beliefs that have so far been proposed only in the clinical literature (e.g., being unloved or being insecure) contributed to the development of trait greed, indicating that striving for material goals might be a substitute for unmet needs in the past. Additionally, greedy individuals more often self-selected themselves into business-related environments, which presumably allow them to fulfill their greed-related need to earn a lot of money. Our results expose important mechanisms for trait greed development. Regarding personality development in general, core beliefs were identified as an important variable for future theory building.